George Calombaris' Best Ever Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients

1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 sticks celery, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
4 bay leaves
1 teaspoon cloves
300 g minced beef
300 g minced pork
300 g minced veal
2 cups (500 ml) dry white wine
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 x 400 g tin crushed tomato
200 g tomato paste (puree)
Sea salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper
400 g spaghetti
shaved parmesan and oregano sprigs (optional), to serve

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large deep saucepan over medium–high heat and cook the onion, carrot and celery for 5 minutes or until softened and coloured.

Add the garlic, bay leaves and cloves and cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon.

Add the minced beef, pork and veal. Cook for 6 minutes or until browned, using a wooden spoon to break up any lumps.

Add the wine, nutmeg, cinnamon, tomato and tomato paste and bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes; the sauce should have reduced and be rich. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove and discard the cloves.

When the sauce is ready, cook the spaghetti in a large saucepan of salted boiling water following packet instructions until al dente.

Drain, then serve with the bolognese sauce, topped with shaved parmesan and scattered with oregano, if you like.

Credits: 'Lantern Cookery Classics: George Calombaris', Published by Penguin Lantern

Photo Credits: 'Lantern Cookery Classics: George Calombaris', Published by Penguin Lantern